Emily's Guidebook

Emily
Emily's Guidebook

Neighborhoods

This is an adorable historic town full of quaint shops, a restaurant, and wine tasting spot. Cows often graze on the hill nearby.
58 localnici recomandă
Duncans Mills
58 localnici recomandă
This is an adorable historic town full of quaint shops, a restaurant, and wine tasting spot. Cows often graze on the hill nearby.
A summer destination for bohemians, writers, artists and vacationers since the early 1900s, this tiny town has all the necessary ingredients for La Dolce Vita — majestic redwoods, fir-covered hills dotted by eccentric cabins, the Russian River meandering toward Pacific shores, a wide variety of artisanal food, a rural flavor and a laid-back style.
14 localnici recomandă
Forestville
14 localnici recomandă
A summer destination for bohemians, writers, artists and vacationers since the early 1900s, this tiny town has all the necessary ingredients for La Dolce Vita — majestic redwoods, fir-covered hills dotted by eccentric cabins, the Russian River meandering toward Pacific shores, a wide variety of artisanal food, a rural flavor and a laid-back style.
Tucked away in western Sonoma County, the tiny community of Occidental was founded in 1876 as the last stop on the North Pacific Coast Railroad, and it soon became a popular vacation destination. In 1879, a railroad saloon and boarding house, the Union Hotel and Restaurant, was constructed; it's now a popular Italian cafe, bakery, and pizzeria. And Occidental's famous Negri's Italian Dinners & Joe's Bar, with its vintage trattoria ambience, has been serving Italian classics since 1943. Occidental is also home to restaurants that feature Mexican, American, Mediterranean/pizza, and pub grub menus.
71 localnici recomandă
Occidental
71 localnici recomandă
Tucked away in western Sonoma County, the tiny community of Occidental was founded in 1876 as the last stop on the North Pacific Coast Railroad, and it soon became a popular vacation destination. In 1879, a railroad saloon and boarding house, the Union Hotel and Restaurant, was constructed; it's now a popular Italian cafe, bakery, and pizzeria. And Occidental's famous Negri's Italian Dinners & Joe's Bar, with its vintage trattoria ambience, has been serving Italian classics since 1943. Occidental is also home to restaurants that feature Mexican, American, Mediterranean/pizza, and pub grub menus.
Located where the Russian River meets the Pacific Ocean, Jenner (pop. 136) is a place where the pace is up to you - you can challenge yourself with a rugged hillside hike with stunning coastal views, paddle a kayak on the river or ocean, stroll leisurely on a beautiful beach or high bluff, sit on the sand and watch a colony of sea lions, or snuggle into a comfy chair while sipping fine wine, nibbling fine food, and enjoying the view out the window.
61 localnici recomandă
Jenner
61 localnici recomandă
Located where the Russian River meets the Pacific Ocean, Jenner (pop. 136) is a place where the pace is up to you - you can challenge yourself with a rugged hillside hike with stunning coastal views, paddle a kayak on the river or ocean, stroll leisurely on a beautiful beach or high bluff, sit on the sand and watch a colony of sea lions, or snuggle into a comfy chair while sipping fine wine, nibbling fine food, and enjoying the view out the window.

City/town information

Charming wine country destination full of tasting rooms, boutiques, and upscale restaurants. Some great antiquing too.
154 localnici recomandă
Healdsburg
154 localnici recomandă
Charming wine country destination full of tasting rooms, boutiques, and upscale restaurants. Some great antiquing too.
Friendly, quaint, and colorful, and charmingly rustic this is a great place to walk around and enjoy the russian river. Don't miss the biscuits at Big Bottom Market.
78 localnici recomandă
Guerneville
78 localnici recomandă
Friendly, quaint, and colorful, and charmingly rustic this is a great place to walk around and enjoy the russian river. Don't miss the biscuits at Big Bottom Market.

Food scene

Romantic, bustling bistro with great french food.
109 localnici recomandă
Underwood Bar and Bistro
9113 Graton Rd
109 localnici recomandă
Romantic, bustling bistro with great french food.
Adorable local favorite with GREAT comfort food and some amazing house made ice cream.
25 localnici recomandă
Rio Cafe & Grill
20391 CA-116
25 localnici recomandă
Adorable local favorite with GREAT comfort food and some amazing house made ice cream.
Lively and fun dive bar directly on the russian river with down home bar food and a great mexican food truck. When the lawn is open it has great space for kids to run around and lots of games.
84 localnici recomandă
Stumptown Brewery
15045 River Rd
84 localnici recomandă
Lively and fun dive bar directly on the russian river with down home bar food and a great mexican food truck. When the lawn is open it has great space for kids to run around and lots of games.
Lively dive restaurant/bar with lots of space for people to spread out and kids to run around. They often have live music on the weekends. Come for the ambiance and fun, not for the food! One of our favorite spots to hang as a family.
47 localnici recomandă
Rio Nido Roadhouse
14540 Canyon 2 Rd
47 localnici recomandă
Lively dive restaurant/bar with lots of space for people to spread out and kids to run around. They often have live music on the weekends. Come for the ambiance and fun, not for the food! One of our favorite spots to hang as a family.
Family owned an operated Italian dinners since 1943. Classic family style dinners and hand crafted cocktails. Stop
28 localnici recomandă
Negri's Original Occidental
3700 Bohemian Hwy
28 localnici recomandă
Family owned an operated Italian dinners since 1943. Classic family style dinners and hand crafted cocktails. Stop
Awesome sandwiches and legendary biscuits (Oprah's favorite)
90 localnici recomandă
Big Bottom Market
16228 Main St
90 localnici recomandă
Awesome sandwiches and legendary biscuits (Oprah's favorite)
A cozy spot with bar & table seats that serves Cal-Mediterranean dishes & pizzas, plus wine.
62 localnici recomandă
Hazel Restaurant
3782 Bohemian Hwy
62 localnici recomandă
A cozy spot with bar & table seats that serves Cal-Mediterranean dishes & pizzas, plus wine.
Fantastic (and a little bougie) cafe, the baked goods, breakfast, and lunch foods here are to die for. If they have Focaccia, get it!
13 localnici recomandă
The Altamont General Store
3703 Main Street
13 localnici recomandă
Fantastic (and a little bougie) cafe, the baked goods, breakfast, and lunch foods here are to die for. If they have Focaccia, get it!
Wonderful cafe/light and casual breakfast spot 5 minutes from the house. Great outdoor ambiance.
19 localnici recomandă
Lightwave Coffee and kitchen
9725 Main St
19 localnici recomandă
Wonderful cafe/light and casual breakfast spot 5 minutes from the house. Great outdoor ambiance.
Incredible pastries in a cute historic town, great back patio with occasional live music.
65 localnici recomandă
Gold Coast Coffee & Bakery
25377 Steelhead Blvd
65 localnici recomandă
Incredible pastries in a cute historic town, great back patio with occasional live music.
Classic breakfast joint.
91 localnici recomandă
Howard Station Cafe
3611 Bohemian Hwy
91 localnici recomandă
Classic breakfast joint.
Great pizza and live music on friday nights from 5-9 pm.
29 localnici recomandă
Raymond's Bakery at Elim Grove
5400 Cazadero Hwy
29 localnici recomandă
Great pizza and live music on friday nights from 5-9 pm.
Beautiful views, good coffee and cafe/light breakfast food, and live music on the weekends. Parking can be difficult but worth it if you can find some.
92 localnici recomandă
Cafe Aquatica
10439 CA-1
92 localnici recomandă
Beautiful views, good coffee and cafe/light breakfast food, and live music on the weekends. Parking can be difficult but worth it if you can find some.
Upscale food with an ocean view
105 localnici recomandă
River's End Restaurant & Inn
11048 CA-1
105 localnici recomandă
Upscale food with an ocean view
If you want a fancy dinner, this is the spot!
40 localnici recomandă
Farmhouse Inn
7871 River Rd
40 localnici recomandă
If you want a fancy dinner, this is the spot!
Great breakfast and lunch food in a magical backyard.
12 localnici recomandă
Baked on the River
17071 CA-116
12 localnici recomandă
Great breakfast and lunch food in a magical backyard.
Fresh oysters, a glass of wine, picnic tables, a boat for kids to climb on, what more could you ask for?
14 localnici recomandă
Bodega Bay Oyster Company
12830 Valley Ford Rd
14 localnici recomandă
Fresh oysters, a glass of wine, picnic tables, a boat for kids to climb on, what more could you ask for?
Artisanal bread and baked goods
176 localnici recomandă
Wild Flour Bread
140 Bohemian Hwy
176 localnici recomandă
Artisanal bread and baked goods
cheese shop
30 localnici recomandă
Freestone Artisan Cheese
380 Bohemian Hwy
30 localnici recomandă
cheese shop
Great pizza in a beautiful garden atmosphere
Sonoma Pizza Co.
Great pizza in a beautiful garden atmosphere

spas

Award winning local spa in a beautiful, garden like setting
118 localnici recomandă
Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary
209 Bohemian Hwy
118 localnici recomandă
Award winning local spa in a beautiful, garden like setting

Sightseeing

As you stroll through this beautiful old-growth redwood forest, you'll see some of the tallest and oldest trees remaining in this part of California. The Parson Jones Tree is about 310 feet high; the Colonel Armstrong Tree is more than 1,400 years old. The reserve includes a visitor center, large outdoor amphitheater, self-guided nature trails, and a variety of picnic facilities. While you can drive into the park, the best way to experience the dramatic effect of the towering redwoods, is to park in the lot (though there is a $10 fee). All of the main park features can be found along the Pioneer Nature Trail. This trail is a mile and a half long round trip, is ADA accessible and is mostly flat and level.
500 localnici recomandă
Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve Visitor Center
17000 Armstrong Woods Rd
500 localnici recomandă
As you stroll through this beautiful old-growth redwood forest, you'll see some of the tallest and oldest trees remaining in this part of California. The Parson Jones Tree is about 310 feet high; the Colonel Armstrong Tree is more than 1,400 years old. The reserve includes a visitor center, large outdoor amphitheater, self-guided nature trails, and a variety of picnic facilities. While you can drive into the park, the best way to experience the dramatic effect of the towering redwoods, is to park in the lot (though there is a $10 fee). All of the main park features can be found along the Pioneer Nature Trail. This trail is a mile and a half long round trip, is ADA accessible and is mostly flat and level.
The Grove is a healthy, old-growth stand of Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens). Enjoy the beauty and grandeur of the trees on easy trails, some suitable for wheelchairs and strollers. The Grove of Old Trees is the first and now one of only two privately owned preserves in Sonoma County that is publicly accessible and free to all.
29 localnici recomandă
LandPaths Grove of Old Trees
17599 Fitzpatrick Ln
29 localnici recomandă
The Grove is a healthy, old-growth stand of Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens). Enjoy the beauty and grandeur of the trees on easy trails, some suitable for wheelchairs and strollers. The Grove of Old Trees is the first and now one of only two privately owned preserves in Sonoma County that is publicly accessible and free to all.
Goat Rock, near the mouth of the Russian River, is known for its scenic shoreline and easily accessible sandy beach. Picnic tables and restroom facilities are also available. Goat Rock beach is home to a colony of harbor seals! Though it is important to keep your distance.
125 localnici recomandă
Goat Rock Beach
125 localnici recomandă
Goat Rock, near the mouth of the Russian River, is known for its scenic shoreline and easily accessible sandy beach. Picnic tables and restroom facilities are also available. Goat Rock beach is home to a colony of harbor seals! Though it is important to keep your distance.
Good beach for dipping your toes in in the summer!
14 localnici recomandă
Salmon Creek State Beach
California 1
14 localnici recomandă
Good beach for dipping your toes in in the summer!
Our beautiful, local beach and nature preserve. A must visit, even in the colder months! In the summer it's a great place to swim.
Patterson Point Preserve
California 116
Our beautiful, local beach and nature preserve. A must visit, even in the colder months! In the summer it's a great place to swim.

Wine tasting

Family-friendly winery that often has live music. One of the top outdoor dining spots in Sonoma County, Russian River Vineyards serves sandwiches, salads and specialty focaccia from a menu that changes seasonally to capture the very best of the vineyard’s on-site farm produce.
61 localnici recomandă
Russian River Vineyards
5700 California 116
61 localnici recomandă
Family-friendly winery that often has live music. One of the top outdoor dining spots in Sonoma County, Russian River Vineyards serves sandwiches, salads and specialty focaccia from a menu that changes seasonally to capture the very best of the vineyard’s on-site farm produce.
One of our absolute favorite wine makers in the area.
25 localnici recomandă
Porter Creek Vineyards
8735 Westside Rd
25 localnici recomandă
One of our absolute favorite wine makers in the area.
West County Regional Trail: This 5.57-mile trail between Forestville and Sebastopol runs along an abandoned railroad line and meanders through agricultural ranches, farmlands, vineyards and woods. The trail, open from sunrise to sunset, is paved for walking, biking and roller skating — there's an unpaved equestrian trail to the side.
10 localnici recomandă
West County Regional Trail, Forestville, CA
Front Street
10 localnici recomandă
West County Regional Trail: This 5.57-mile trail between Forestville and Sebastopol runs along an abandoned railroad line and meanders through agricultural ranches, farmlands, vineyards and woods. The trail, open from sunrise to sunset, is paved for walking, biking and roller skating — there's an unpaved equestrian trail to the side.
6 localnici recomandă
RYME Tasting Room
6450 1st St
6 localnici recomandă
17 localnici recomandă
Porter-Bass
11750 Mays Canyon Rd
17 localnici recomandă

Kids

Best playground in the area
J.K. Wright Memorial Playground
16016 Drake Road
Best playground in the area
Kids museum
34 localnici recomandă
Children's Museum of Sonoma County
1835 W Steele Ln
34 localnici recomandă
Kids museum
Old school, down home, mini golf
33 localnici recomandă
Pee Wee Golf & Arcade
16155 Drake Rd
33 localnici recomandă
Old school, down home, mini golf
Ratzlaff Apple A Day is a great apple picking spot in the fall!
Apple A Day
13128 Occidental Road
Ratzlaff Apple A Day is a great apple picking spot in the fall!